|
On a bitterly cold evening, the game at Gillingham
started at a very high tempo and with both sides fighting for survival
within the South East Combination it was sure to be a tight affair.
After the early exchanges, when both teams had decent spells of
possession, it was the home side that seemed to find that extra gear and
had the Spurs defence turning on many occasions. Throughout the
first half, Gillingham seemed to have the more clear cut chances, with a
header cannoning back off the post and a long range shot skimming the
top of the Spurs crossbar. However, Spurs did look quite
threatening on the counter attack, with the pace of Clare Singh and
Jessie Richards causing the home side's full backs many problems.
Towards the end of the half, Spurs started to get a
foothold in the game, with Jessie Richards just firing wide after
cutting in from her left wing position. And with only a few
minutes left before the half time whistle, Spurs went in front, when a
looping corner from Clare Singh was clawed away by the goalkeeper, but
it feel nicely to Ebony Heath to head home from three yards out.
1-0 Spurs at half time.
Spurs started the second half much brighter than they
had started the first and this was epitomised by a goal within no more
than two minutes of the restart. When a bouncing ball was not
dealt with by the Gillingham defence on the left hand side of the box,
Kirsten Thomson duly obliged and hit a sweet strike on the half volley,
which sailed over the Gills keeper to make it 2-0 Spurs.
After the second Spurs goal, Gillingham started to
probe forward more, with timely tackles by Ebony Heath, Kelly Herrett
and Jessie Richards preventing shooting opportunities for the hosts.
Ricole Vyse also produced a good save low down to her left to keep the
home side at bay. However, with about five minutes left on the
clock Gillingham got a goal back with a great strike from outside the
box, which nestled into the top corner to make it 1-2.
Spurs managed to see out the remaining time without
too many scares in order to secure a much needed victory.
june
clarke |
